Adjustable beds or recliners

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an adjustable bed or recliner. In both hospital/nursing home and domestic environments, the elderly, the infirm and those in poor health frequently need to rest in not only prone or sitting or reclined positions. The invention seeks to improve on constructions known hitherto, an objective met by an adjustable bed or recliner comprising at least two platforms ( 3,4 ) pivotally connected at their adjacent edges, and each pivotally connected to a support structure ( 11 ) below the platforms, the pivot between the platforms being located between the pivotal connections ( 17,19 ) to the support structure ( 11 ), and the pivot ( 18 ) between the said platforms being in fixed location on one platform ( 3 ) and in sliding engagement with the other ( 4 ), there being a mechanism ( 16,24 ) associated with a least one said platform ( 3 ) to allow it to be set at a required angular disposition with respect to the other said platform ( 4 ).

This invention relates to adjustable beds or recliners.

In hospitals and in nursing homes it is well-established that for theassistance and comfort of patients, beds and chairs can usefully beprovided with adjustable sections, to allow a patient to be supportedproperly in a sitting, reclining or prone condition. This not onlyprovides comfort and support on those occasions where a patient wants tobe sat, reclined or laid flat, but also allows a patient to be movedperiodically to assist in the prevention of the creation of pressuresores.

Outside hospital and nursing homes, there is a need in the domesticsphere to provide adjustable beds or recliners, not only for use by theelderly or the infirm, for much the same reasons as those mentionedabove for hospital and nursing home patients, but also for use by theable-bodied so that they may choose to be sat, reclined, or be prone asmight suit them from time to time.

With known constructions, it is generally so that a number, usuallythree supporting platforms are provided, with each platform in hingedengagement with an adjacent platform, there being mechanisms below theplatforms and attached thereto, to allow each section to be pivoted toan appropriate and required angular disposition. Such platforms andmechanisms are more than adequate to provide as many angulardispositions as are reasonably required, but they have the problem ofattempting to fold a conventional mattress laid on the supportplatforms. As a result, and in all dispositions other than flat, acrease or rucking of the mattress is an inevitable result of setting oneplatform at an angular disposition in relation to an adjacent platform.

The object of the invention is to provide an adjustable bed or reclinerwhere those disadvantages mentioned above are substantially eliminated.

According to the present invention, an adjustable bed or reclinercomprises at least two platforms pivotally connected at their adjacentedges, and each pivotally connected to a support structure below theplatforms, the pivot between the platforms being located between thepivotal connections to the support structure, and the pivot between thesaid platforms being in fixed location on one platform and in slidingengagement with the other, there being a mechanism associated with atleast one said platform to allow it to be set at a required angulardisposition with respect to the other said platform.

Preferably, there is a continuous flexible form stable sheet overlyingthe, at least, two platforms and secured to the upper surfaces of thesaid platforms to either side of their pivotal connection to each other.

Thus, in the prone position, the platforms are horizontally aligned, andthe pivot secured to one platform positioned at the remote end of theslot in the other platform. As the at least one platform is set at arequired angular disposition, the pivotal connection between theplatforms moves along the slot effectively lengthening that platform. Asa result, the connections between the flexible sheet and the platformsare moved relatively towards each other, causing the sheet between theconnections to assume a curved configuration, and the distance betweenthe pivots dictating the radius of curvature of the arc.

The positions of connections of the flexible sheet to the platforms andthe locations of the pivotal connections of the platforms to the supportstructure is not critical, but ideally, the connections of the sheet tothe platforms is so located with respect to the pivotal connections tothe support structure, that as a consequence, the radius of curvature ofthe curved portion of the flexible sheet is positioned at the neutralaxis mid-point of the thickness of the sheet.

The support structure below the platforms may be static, and alifting/lowering mechanism attached below one (torso) platform.Activation of the lifting/lowering mechanism, causes the torso platformto lift from a horizontal condition and pivot about its connection tothe support structure, and the sliding and pivoting connection betweenthat platform and the other, thigh or buttocks, platform causing it topivot oppositely to put the two platforms at a required angulardisposition, with the consequent provision of an arcuate section offlexible sheet bridging the ends of the platforms.

As a consequence, a mattress placed on the flexible sheet also assumes asmooth curved configuration across the pivotal joint between the torsoand thigh platforms, free from creasing and rucking on its surface tothe considerable benefit of a user of the bed or recliner.

Whilst relative movement between the platforms as is described abovesets the mattress in a required position and surface condition, raisingthe torso platform can induce a sliding force as between the mattressand the user, that whilst relatively small can cause mild discomfort anda riding up the body of the user's outer clothing.

To avoid this, it is desirable to cause a downward and rearward movementof the pivot between the platforms as the torso platform is raised. Toachieve this, the pivotal attachment of the torso platform to thesupport structure is set at a predetermined distance along the platformfrom the position of the pivotal connection to the thigh platform. Thus,pivoting of the torso platform upwardly from a prone condition,automatically causes the pivot to the thigh platform to lower and moverearwardly, with a consequent opposite pivotal movement of the thighplatform about its pivotal connection to the support structure. Thiscauses a rotation of the user's thighs and torso about the hip joint ofthe user, and substantially eliminates any sliding force between themattress and the torso of the user.

There is a further advantage to be had if the outer end of the torsoplatform is caused to move vertically up or down, to keep its outer edgein close proximity to a wall against which a bed or recliner can beplaced. This can be achieved by causing the support platform to move asthe torso platform is pivoted about its connection to the thighplatform. To allow for such movement the support structure may bemounted on slide rails, and/or may be provided with wheels. The means tomove the support structure, may be a separate drive means thatco-operates with and is calibrated with respect to the means to raiseand lower the torso platform, such that two movement means act intandem, to result in the support structure being moved commensuratelywith the raising and lowering of the torso platform.

In place of separate drive means, there may be provided towards theouter end of the torso platform, a pivotally attached link itselfpivotally attached to a further support, the distances between thepivotal connection to the support structure and the pivotal connectionto the link, and the length of the pivotal link being such that as thetorso platform is raised and lowered, the support structure is caused tomove commensurately backwards and forwards.

This arrangement causes the pivotal connection between the torsoplatform and the link to move rearwardly and vertically up and down, andconsequently the remote end of the torso platform to move vertically upand down.

Most desirably, a bed or recliner in accordance with the invention isprovided with a third platform to support the lower leg of a user belowthe knee. Such a third platform is preferably pivotally attached to thethigh platform, and is provided with a lifting and lowering mechanism,to set the leg platform at a required angular disposition in relation tothe thigh platform. The lifting and lowering mechanism for the legplatform may be separate from the other lifting and lowering mechanismsand operated by a user as required, or may be interconnected with theother lifting and lowering mechanisms by appropriate linkages, orelectrically or by suitable hydraulics, and such that a single drivemeans can operate all movements required of the platforms and of thesupport structure.

For the still further comfort of the user, the free end section of thetorso platform may be hingedly connected to and angularly adjustablewith respect to the remainder of the torso platform, and such that aneffective head rest can be provided. Preferably, a separate movingmechanism is provided.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:—

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of adjustable bed inaccordance with the invention, in a prone condition;

FIG. 2 corresponds to FIG. 1 but has parts removed for clarity;

FIG. 3 corresponds to FIG. 1 but shows the bed in a recliner condition,with parts removed for clarity;

FIG. 4 corresponds to FIG. 3 but has parts removed for clarity;

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are perspective views of the bed of FIG. 1 showingdifferent dispositions of the body support parts;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the bed of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an underneath perspective view of the bed of FIG. 1, withparts removed for clarity;

FIG. 9 corresponds to FIG. 8 with further parts removed for clarity;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of each of the support platforms of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one of the body support platforms ofFIG. 1; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another of the support platforms ofFIG. 1.

In the drawings, an adjustable bed 1 has a head platform 2, a torsoplatform 3, a buttocks and thigh platform 4 and a lower leg platform 5,each hingedly connected to the adjacent platform. Each platform 2 to 5carries a respective mattress support member 6 to 9, and the mattresssupport members 7 for the torso and 8 for the buttocks and thighs arebridged by a flexible form stable sheet 10.

The platforms 2 to 5 are carried by a support structure or carriage 11that has slide members 12 engaging parallel rails 13 on a base member14.

At the head end of the bed 1, a bracket 15 is provided on which ispivotally mounted a stay 16, the opposite end of which is pivotallyattached to the torso platform 3.

The torso platform is supported on the carriage 11 by a pivot 17 at apredetermined distance from its end that is pivotally attached at 18 tothe buttocks and thigh platform 4, the buttocks and thigh platform alsobeing supported on the carriage by a pivot 19.

The pivot 18 is in fixed position on the torso platform 3, but is insliding engagement with the buttocks and thigh platform, by locating ina slot 20 towards the adjacent end of the buttocks and thigh platform(see FIG. 9).

The head platform 6 is pivotally attached to the end of the torsoplatform, and a drive motor 21 is provided on the torso platform, thedrive rod 22 of which is pivotally attached to a bracket 23 on the headplatform.

Attached to the floor of the carriage 11 is a drive motor 24, the driverod 25 of which extends to and is pivotally attached to a bracket 26secured to the torso platform 4. Also attached to the floor of thecarriage 11 is a second drive motor 27, the drive rod of which extendsto and is pivotally attached to a bracket 29 on the lower leg platform5.

From the prone position as is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drivemotor 24 can be activated to extend its drive rod 25. A force isprovided along the line of the platforms through the bracket 26, and asa consequence, a force is provided on the carriage in the direction ofthe head end of the bed to cause it to slide along the rails in adirection towards the head end of the bed, the result of which is thatthe torso platform is caused to rotate about its pivot 17, and as aconsequence the stay 16 is lifted and the carriage 11 drawn towards thehead end of the bed. The opposite end of the platform 5 is lowered tocause its pivot 18 to slide along the slot 20 in the buttocks and thighplatform 4 to cause it to pivot oppositely about the pivot 19 to thecarriage, and to set the platforms in a required angular dispositionsuch as in illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

As a result of the compound movement of the platforms 3 and 4, the sheet10 bridging them is caused to take up curved configuration as isillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, for the comfort of the user, and therearward movement of the buttocks and thigh platform with the carriage,ensures that the torso of the user is lifted without any relativemovement of the back of the user and the torso platform 3.

For the further comfort of the user or to suit a particular condition,perhaps medical, the head platform 2 is pivotally attached at 30 to theend of the torso platform 3, and the drive motor 21 can be activated toset the head platform in a required angular disposition in relation tothe torso platform. Also the lower leg platform 5 is pivotally attachedat 31 to the end of the buttocks and thigh platform, and activation ofthe drive motor 27 allows the lower leg platform to be set at a requiredangular disposition to the buttocks and thigh platform 4.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a variety of dispositions of the platforms andmattress support members.

The mattress support members 6 to 9 can be of any appropriate materialto combine light weight with strength and pleasing appearance, and areshaped to provide outer edges 32 to grip and secure in place aconventional or orthopaedic mattress, but preferably a mattressspecifically designed to be able to articulate, that can follow allmovements of the platforms 2 to 5 and support members 6 to 9.

For simplicity and economy of manufacture, the platforms 2 to 5 are allformed from an extrusion of the same cross-section as is illustrated inFIGS. 10 to 12. Each end of a length of the extrusion is machined togenerate sections to accept a hinge, and to allow adjacent sections tobe hinged together, the buttocks or thigh platform being machined (seeFIG. 12) to provide an end piece 33 of a length to have the slot 20.

1. An adjustable bed or recliner comprising: first and second platformspivotally connected at their adjacent edges at a pivot, and each saidplatform pivotally connected to a support structure below the platformsat pivotal connections, the pivot between the platforms being locatedbetween the pivotal connections to the support structure, and the pivotbetween the platforms being in fixed location on said and in slidingengagement with said second platform, and a mechanism associated withsaid first platform to allow said first platform to be set at a requiredangular disposition with respect to said second platform.
 2. Anadjustable bed or recliner as in claim 1, further including a continuousflexible form stable sheet overlying said first and second platforms andsecured to upper surfaces of said platforms at connections provided atsides of said pivot.
 3. An adjustable bed or recliner as in claim 2,wherein in a prone position, the platforms are horizontally aligned, andthe pivot secured to said first platform is positioned at the remote endof a slot in said second platform and whereby as said first platform isset at a required angular disposition, the pivot between the platformsmoves along the slot effectively lengthening said first platform, and asa result, the connections between the sheet and the platforms are movedrelatively towards each other, causing the sheet to assume a curvedconfiguration having a radius of curvature between the connections, anddistances between the pivots and pivotal connections defining saidradius.
 4. An adjustable bed or recliner as in claim 3, wherein saidsheet has a predetermined thickness the connections of the sheet to theplatforms is so located with respect to the pivotal connections, thatthe radius of curvature of the curved configuration is positioned at aneutral axis mid-point of said thickness of the sheet.
 5. An adjustablebed or recliner as in claim 1, wherein the support structure below theplatforms is static, and a lifting/lowering mechanism attached belowsaid first platform.
 6. An adjustable bed or recliner as in claim 1,wherein the pivotal connection of the first platform to the supportstructure is set at a predetermined distance along the first platformfrom the position of the pivotal connection to the second platformpivoting of the first platform upwardly from a prone condition,automatically causing the pivot to the second platform to lower and moverearwardly, with a consequent opposite pivotal movement of the secondplatform about its pivotal connection to the support structure.
 7. Anadjustable bed or recliner as in claim 1, wherein the support platformis caused to move as the first platform is pivoted about said pivot. 8.An adjustable bed or recliner as in claim 7, wherein to allow for suchmovement the support structure is mounted on slide rails and/or providedwith wheels.
 9. An adjustable bed or recliner as in claim 7 or claim 8,wherein a lifting/lowering mechanism is attached below said firstplatform and the support structure is moved by a separate drivemechanism that co-operates with and is calibrated with respect to thelifting/lowering mechanism, such that said lifting/lowering mechanismand said drive mechanism act in tandem, to result in the supportstructure being moved commensurately with the raising and lowering ofthe first platform.
 10. An adjustable bed or recliner as in claim 7 orclaim 8, wherein the first platform, has a pivotally attached link at anouter end thereof to define a pivot connection, said link having apredetermined length and being pivotally attached to a support, whereindistances between the pivotal connections to the support structure andthe pivot connection to the link, and the length of the link being suchthat as the first platform is raised and lowered, the support structureis caused to move commensurately backwards and forwards.
 11. Anadjustable bed or recliner as in claim 1, further including a thirdplatform for supporting the leg of a user below the knee.
 12. Anadjustable bed or recliner as in claim 11, wherein the third platform ispivotally attached to the second platform, and a lifting and loweringmechanism is provided to set the third platform at a required angulardisposition.
 13. An adjustable bed or recliner as in claims 11 or 12further including a fourth platform is provided, pivotally attached tothe end of the first platform, and a drive mechanism provided to set thefourth platform at a required angular disposition.